While John was studying at Yale he "discovered" that the date of the second coming of Christ had already passed and that humankind had been living in a "new age". This stirred a fascination within him and caused him to come to the conclusion that only those who were free of sin and "perfect" were actually true Christians. He also formed a belief that all men and women were married to each other and could therefor share partners. Due to his perfectionist views, he believed that everything that he said and did from that day was perfect because he had given his will and heart to God. This caused him to be expelled from college for what others considered to be ravings of a heretic.
Commune
John started a Putney Bible School which would eventually evolve into his commune that would practice Perfectionism, male continence (males not being allowed to ejaculate during or after sex), and complex marriage. Eventually, they group had to move due to charges being brought up against John for adultery. This led them to Oneida, New York where they made their communal home. To support the communal financially, the followers manufactured various goods including silver ware which they still make today. However, John was forced to one again run away from the law. This time he would leave the country entirely and never return. In the absence of their leader, the Oneida commune broke apart and formed a joint stock company due to the overwhelming success of the silverware that the followers of John had produced.
Revelation
While John was studying at Yale he "discovered" that the date of the second coming of Christ had already passed and that humankind had been living in a "new age". This stirred a fascination within him and caused him to come to the conclusion that only those who were free of sin and "perfect" were actually true Christians. He also formed a belief that all men and women were married to each other and could therefor share partners. Due to his perfectionist views, he believed that everything that he said and did from that day was perfect because he had given his will and heart to God. This caused him to be expelled from college for what others considered to be ravings of a heretic.
Commune
John started a Putney Bible School which would eventually evolve into his commune that would practice Perfectionism, male continence (males not being allowed to ejaculate during or after sex), and complex marriage. Eventually, they group had to move due to charges being brought up against John for adultery. This led them to Oneida, New York where they made their communal home. To support the communal financially, the followers manufactured various goods including silver ware which they still make today. However, John was forced to one again run away from the law. This time he would leave the country entirely and never return. In the absence of their leader, the Oneida commune broke apart and formed a joint stock company due to the overwhelming success of the silverware that the followers of John had produced.
Bibliography
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Humphrey_Noyes
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/421343/John-Humphrey-Noyes